Truly Dreadful Film

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

To be gay and fall in love is not easy, for the rookie just as much as for the veteran.The veteran is in the music business where to be gay is as banal as having no hair on your face. It meets a younger one who is not sure what he is. The veteran falls for the novelty of someone who is doing it for love and comfort and not for his glands.The rookie is trying to prove himself by fighting the old way, the way they used to do in the Far West, though we are in Blackpool. No gloves. Feet permitted as much as fists and all other ways to hit and hurt. The audience is there to enjoy the blood and the suffering and the loser going out on a stretcher if possible.But the rookie is initiated to something he wants but he fears and he discovers he likes it, and he likes the man who is giving him that feeling of being loved, of being needed, of being wanted and expected, and he gives back the same. And the absence of the temporary distance of the other is harder than thirst and hunger. The pain of the desire when the object and the soul of that desire is not here is often maddening.But around the veteran, who is in his twenties only, there are other girls who depend on his guidance in their singing, other boys who depend on his enterprise and even shiny PR to become what they maybe are not, even if maybe they are what their boss wants them to become. And temptation is too hard, too burning hot and sooner or later the veteran will fall and the rookie will be trapped with a hangover that will come from an excess of alcohol and unwanted but un-resisted submissive abandon.But jealousy and rivalry brings a break up and the story is then how the two estranged lovers will find a crossroads where their roads can meet. More than touching. Encouraging about the real maturation of men in this world. And it takes courage to just face what you are and believe that most people around you, if they love you a little bit, will accept you the way you are.A film many should see to enjoy that maturation, or to discover what love can be between two men. Burning dedication and freezing need.Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

I did like this movie. Directed by Paul Oremland, hopefully not his last, he brought truth and fine acting by a not so famous cast, to the fold. It was a low budget made film, but the writing, by Robert Gray, was top notch. It proves you can tell a beautiful love story without the glitz and millions of dollars. I think Mr. Oremland was in love with his story and his cast. He gave it such beautiful and heartbreaking moments. His interview on the DVD explains why he did the film and why he had such a strong connection in filming it. He also explained how he found the leading man, Steve Bell. Bell is perfectly cast as Craig, a young boxer from the skids who is not only fighting in sleezy matches but fighting his coming out as a homosexual.He seemed so natural, they claim he actually had done some boxing in real life, you believed him from the start. Watching his opening up in his relationship with a pick-up, played by the beautiful Ian Rose. Rose also gave a truthful and lovely performance as he too found himself in his relationship with Craig. They played their scenes together quite well, including their nudity scenes.Other cast members were Dani Behr, who played such a selfish girl-friend to Rose, I wanted to slap her. What a witch, and I use the term lightly. Then there's Craig's brother, well played by Chris Hargreaves, who learns his brother is gay and supports him and his choice. Kind of brother every gay guy wishes he had. Roger Daltrey played another sleezy character in this film. I'm not quite sure whether I disliked his acting or his role the most. I didn't like him in this. I'm one who didn't know who he was. Not a THE WHO fan obviously. So I can't compare him to anything, but what he did in the film. Maybe Mr. Oremland felt he needed a name? I thought Daltrey overacted. But, that's a minor flaw in this wonderful movie. The story, acting and directing all make it worthwhile in renting the DVD. Go and do it like it is.

A young bare-fisted boxing bloke finds himself searching for love in "Like It Is."Newcomer Steve Bell has the advantage of actually being a semi-pro fighter, so that he physically fits the part. His natural acting ability is acceptable, as is Ian Rose as the fighter's love interest.Former "The Who" singer Roger Daltry offers a convincing performance as an oily record producer and Dani Behr is deliberately irksome as a fairly famous rock singer.Somehow, though, Robert Gray's characters and situations don't rise much above the norm, which may have hampered Paul Orenland's direction as well as the entire production. The fight scenes are well-staged, and the viewer gets an idea of a seamy side of London life where bare knuckles provide perverse underground amusement.As for the two unlikely young heroes, it looks like a case of love being where you find it.

I found the plot of this film very choppy, even unbelievable. For example, a stolen car plot thread is brought up and then dropped. There is also some awkward staging such as bright lights in bedroom shots where people are supposedly asleep.The story of a young bare-knuckles fighter who has to deal with the fact that he is gay is interesting. The point is that love wins out over money and macho. The performance by Steve Bell is what makes the movie worth seeing because he is able to project a sweet, winning personality beneath his tough-guy exterior.